Reversing drive



y 0, 1933. w. P, BEATTIE El AL 1,912,060

REVERSING DRIVE Filed Oct. 15, 193], 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS MAL/AM Z2554 7775/40 was-199.5? 5144/00 Patented May UNITED STATES nmrcm LAUNDRY TIDE OF OHIO PATENT OFFICE BEATI'IE m IOSHH B. SANDO, O1 NOB'WODD, OHIO, LSSIGNOBS '10 inn IAY oonrarr'r, 01" CINCINNATI, OHIO, A OORPORL G DRIVE Application fled Dctobcr 15, 1931 No. 589,008.

Our invention relatesto mechaand, particularly, to a reversing fluid operated m especially applicable to laundry wherein parts,

5 for instance the cylinder, are rotated first in one direction and the other. We have shown and hereinafter describe the driving as applied to a washing machine in which the reversing operafion is characteristicalthough the mechanism is equally applicable to many other types of machinery.

Hereiofore, the cylinder .or clothes containing memher oi a washing machine has is ordinarily been driven by an electric, motor through a. system of or gearing with the cylinder rotating 2. given number of revolufions in one direction and then reversing to rotate a. given number of revolutions in so the opposite direction. The of drive used T a corresponding number of reversals of the electric motors which have necasarily been designed to d such reversals. Aside from the expense of special construction, current "costs are quite an important incisor when electric mobors are irequontly reversed. 0minvention contemplates a in which a motor driws a iiuid pump a. ro-

' valve in a reversing fluid motor which drives ihe cylinder or cloflies container of g1: laundry apparatus by direct duction gearing hy the motor.

In construction, a single valve is located in the heedlhmehfiweenihepmnpand rovalve, valve being 7 to an. o operated means that takes 40 theiionnoiahandlevern mriheirmi of the by which starting, stopping,

inching, or unnplete control is accomplished wiflioul; nous opera,- iion of motor.

'45 Inaddifimtoihedoperaiingcm roharyvalveheingdriven m: areresulting from the above type of apparatus, there are other advantages which include, accomplishing zero to maximum speed of the cylinder without intermediate control, uniform acceleration, elimination of noise of heavy gearing, and greater flexibility in operation. With our type of drive,,a plurality of machines may be operated by one unit embodying a single electric motor and single pump arranged in a location to conserve floor space. The use of a. single motor has the advantage of eliminating current surges and line disturbances resulting from the use 1012a number of motors on the some current e.

Various objects and other advantageous features of our invention may be seen in the following description and one embodiment thereof may be seen in the accompanying drawings wherein characters of re erence designate. corresponding parts, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a washing machine equipped with a drive mechanism embodying our invention; Fig. 2 a 7 viewof the drive mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the drive mechanism likewise attached to a washing machine; ig. 3 is a sectional view talren on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing one posiiion of the valve member during forward rotation of the washing machine cylinder; Fig. 4 is a view to Fig. 3 showing the valve member advanced in its rotaiion to. aposiidon which would correspondtoa 'od in the operation of the washing cy der whereit has stopped just prior to reversal of rotation thereof; Fig. 5 1s a view similar to 3 and 4 the valve member further advanced at which time the cylinder is in a reverse direction; Fig. 6 B shows the valve member advanced to a position further in its rotation from the position shown in 4 and which posilion, like Fig. 4, would correspond to a period in the i on of the washing cylinder where it Ill has sto ped just prior-to reversal of rotation thereo Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 showing one construction of the rotary valve; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fi 1, showing the valve gate in a position w erein the main port is closed and the by-pass port is open for operation of a cylinder braking mechanism' Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8

with the valve gate in position such that the main port is opened and the byass ort is closed for operation of the cylin er; i

is a sectional view on the line 10-10 of ig.

8; and Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the brake operating cylinder.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a washing machine of a more or less standard construction comprising an end head I carryin a bracket 2, outside casing 3 and a rotat- 39 ab e cylinder 4. A well known type of reversing fluid operated motor 5 is carried by the bracket 2 and directly connected to a gud geon g of the-cylinder 4 by a suitable cou- P as 25 A bracket 8 is mounted at the rear of the washer casing 3 to provide a support for a standard uni-directional electric motor 9 directly connected to a well known type of centrifugal pump 10 by means of a coupling 11.

' Anot er bracket 12 on the end head '1 supports a rotary valve 13, the bracket being provided with upwardly extending flanges for the support 'of shaft upporting bearings 14 and 15. A bevel gear 16 is securely mounted 8 on the motor shaft 17 and meshes with a bevel ar 18 secured to a shaft 19 supported in a ring 20 that is mounted on the bracket 8. The shaft 19 has a worm 21 on one end thereof which meshes with a worm gear 22 that is 40 securely mounted on' the shaft 23 of the rotary yalve 13 between the shaft supporting bearmgs 14 and 15. With this construction, the

continuously operating uni-directional motor 9 will continuously operate the rotary 48 valve 18.

For conveying operating fluid from the pump 10 to the fluid motor 5, a supply conduit 24 connects the pressure side of the pump 10 with the inlet port 25 of the rotary valve 13. 80 Another conduit 26 leads from a port '27 in e rotary valve to the forward connection 28 of the-fluid motor 5. A conduit 29 con,- nects a ort 30 in the rotary valvewith the rearward connection 31 of the fluid motor 5 II and a return conduit 32 leads from a return port 33 in the rotary valve to the suction side I of the pump 10.

- Referring to Figs. 37 inclusive valve 13 consists of a cylinder 34 00 end thereof threaded as at 35 the rotary aving one and adaptedto receive a threaded cap 36 which fits within the hollow end of the casing 34 and abuts against a shoulder 37. A ring gasket 38 may be provided to form a seal. The valve mem- 66 ber itself consists of end flanges 39 and 40 connected by a web 41, the valve member being connected to the shaft 23 extending through a packing gland 42 in the cap member 36 whereby the valve member may be rotated b the operation of the motor 9.

- It will e noted that the outer edges 43 and 44 of the web 41 are wider than the central section, these widened portions being adapted to engage the inner wall of the cylinder 34 and provide a means for closing the ports 25, 27, 30 and 33. The width of the outer edges 43 and 44 is slightly in excess of the port openin whereby the edges will completely close 0 such openings and for other reasons hereinafter described.

Suitable means are provided for controlling the flow of fluid through the rotary valve 13 and thereby control the operation of the cylinder 4. This means consists in a control valve 45 disposed in the pressure conduit 24 with an operating lever 46 therefor connected by means of a rod 47 to a hand control lever 48 pivotally mounted as at 49 to the end head 1. This hand lever 48 is adapted to slidablyengage an arc-shaped boss 50 on the and head 1 of the washer, the arc-shaped boss .being provided with spaced perforations 51 ada ted to receive a springpressed pin operate by a trigger 51 of the lever 48 to hold the hand lever 48 in one of its respective pos itions.

Four perforations 51 are shown" inlthe present instance which are spaced to represent brake application, pressure ofi' position, intermediate speed position, and high speed position. For example when the hand lever 48 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the braking means hereinafter descrlbed has been applied and the cylinder is inoperative. Upon movement of the lever to the next position, the braking means is released with the cylinder still remaining inoperative, this being a neutral posltion at which pressure has not been admitted to the rotary valve 13. When the lever 48 is moved to the third sition,-the cylinder 4 will operate at a s ow speed, or that speed most adaptable to the treatment of blankets, woolens, and the like, and, when the lever 48 is moved to the last position, the cylinder will operate at a speed at which the general class of materials are treated. This variation n speed need iiot be limited to the four positlons shown.- That is, the arc-shaped boss 50 may be provided with any number of perforations 51 for any number of desired speeds.

The control valve 45, shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, is of the gate type and is'provlded with a main port 52 and a by-pass port 53, a gate 54- being pivoted as at 55 and so designed as to cover and prevent flow of fluid through either. port when in the dotteddme position as shown in Fig. 8, which posltion it assumes when the hand lever 48 is opposite the second perforation representing the pressure off position. This position has been provided for emergency and has other advantages as when a free moving cylinder,-

' gate 54 to move clockwise as shown by the full lines in Fig. 8 which, while covering the main port 52, uncovers the by-pass port 53 to admit fluid pressure from the pump 10 through a conduit 56 to a brake cylinder 57 which applies the brake and prevents movement of the cylinder 4.

Movement of the hand lever 48 to the third position representing intermediate speed causes the gate 54 to be rotated counterclockwise about the pivot 49 to close the bypass port 53 and partially open the main port 42 as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 9. Further movement of the hand lever 48 to the fourth and last position shown representing high speed causes the gate to be moved to its limit in a counter-clockwise direction to completely uncover the main port 52 while keeping the by-pass port 53 covered. It will be noted that the ports 52 and 53 are never open simultaneously. .Thus, the port; 53 is closed before the port 52 has begun toopen and the brake will not be applied with pressure at the motor 5 nor will the motor be started until the brake is released.

The brake 58 is represented as of the contracting bands type with the bands being adapted to engage a drum mounted on the .gudieon shaft 6 and, as shown in Fig. 11, the rake 'is operated by fluid pressure admitted through the conduit 56 to the cylinder 57 which causes the piston 59 to move. forwardly against the pressure of a spring 60 and rotate a lever 61 clockwise about its hand. As shown, the cylinder. 57 is provided with a constant leak through a conduit 63 which leads to the fluid pressure conduit 32 and thence to the suction side of .the

pump. This conduit is of a size as not to affeet the operation of the brake during the application period when the by-pa'ss port 53 is open and provides a quick relief for release of the brake when the by-pass port 53 55 is closed. Likewise, the conduits 56 and 63 may be of a size to permit suflicient fluid to by-pass around the rotary valve 13 when the brake is ap lied to 'revent an undesirable 0 amount of rag on t e motor 9 by pressure built up in the 'ne by the pum 10, although the centrifugal pump is pre erably so designed that after maximum pressure is reached the power resuired drops off making it impossible to overload the pump. 65 In the operation of this apparatus, assumpivot 62 to cause contraction of the brake ing the washing cylinder 4 to have been load ed and the proper supplies introduced into the washing machine for the first cycle of operation, the operator starts the electric motor 9 by any suitable means, for instanceby means-of a push button switch 64, it being likewise assumed that the hand lever 48 is in the forward or brake position as shown in Fig; 1. The electric motor 9 and pump 10, as well as .the rotary valve 13 rotate continuously in one direction through the bevel gears 17 and 18, the worm 21, and the worm gear 22.

, Then, the operator moves the hand lever 48 rearwardl to the third or fourth perforation in t e are 59, dependent upon the speed desired, which rotates the gate 54 of the valve 45 to the dotted or full line position shown in Fig. 9 to close the by-pass port 53 and open the main port 52 whereupon the brake will. be'released by leakage of pressure through the conduit 63 to the fluid pump 10 and fluid pressure will be admitted through the conduit 24 to the rotary valve 13. p

. Assuming, that upon operation of the hand deter 48, that the valve member 41 is in a position for its rotation, which is always clockwise, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, fluid under pressure passes through the valve in the direction'of the arrows from the port 25 and through the port 27 to the forward connection 28 of the fluid motor 5, through the fluid motor, and then returns by way of conduit 2-9, ports 30 and 33 of the rotary valve, and conduit 32 to the pump 10 whereupon the fluid motor 5 and washing cylinder 4 will be rotated in a forward direction which will continue until the valve member 41 has rotated to the position shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 4, it will be notedthat the engaging edges 43 and 44 are wider than the port openings. This overlap provides suflicient time to allow the inertia of the rotating mass to be absorbed and the cylinder to come to a stop or to a speed slow 8110!}?11 to prevent shock when reversely flowing uid pressure is admitted to the motor.

The valve-member 41 continues to rotate in the same direction until it opens the port 25 to the port 30 (see Fig. 5) whereupon fluid pressure is admitted to the fluidrmotor 5 through conduit 29 and the reverse connection 31, the fluid traveling through the motor and returning by way of conduit 26, through the rotary valve casmg, and through conduit 32 to the suction side ofthe pump 10. The fluid motor 5 and the washin cylinder 4 are now rotating in the reverse direction from. that previously described which rotation will continue until the valve member 41 reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 where the flow to either side of the motor 5 is closed whereupon the motor 5 and the opposite direction. This cycle is repeated and the operation continues throughout the fabric treating period. 1

When it is esired to stop operation of the cylinder at the end of a treating period, the operator moves the hand lever 48 to the foremost position of the arc as shown in Fig. 1. This operation rotates the gate 54 of the valve 45 clockwise to first close the main port 52 and cut ofi the supply of fluid from the pump to the rotary valve and then opens the by-pass valve 53 whereupon fluid from the pump is admitted to. the brake cylinder 57 to apply the brake and is then bypassed to the pump 10 around the rotary valve 13.

The electric motor, pump, and rotary valve operate continuously throughout the fabric treating period and movement of the machine during the various cycles of the treating period is accomplished solely through the control valve 45. Thus, if it is desired, the operation of the electric motor, pump, and rotary valve need not be interrupted throughout the entire days operation. The arrangement is such as to prevent any possibility of dead-point positions of the rotary valve in the operation of the machine inasmuch as the rotary valve is driven directly by the prime mover or electric motor.

Assuming that the cylinder 4 has stopped at a point where the cylinder doors are not in registration with the doors in the casing 3, means have been provided for an operation known as inching to bring the doors into alignment. The outer casing door being opened, the operator moves the hand lever 48 rearwardly just slightly beyond the pressure off position whereby the cylinder will rotate slowly to bring the cylinder and casing doors into alignment at which time the lever 48 may be moved to braking position and the cylinder stopped.

With the above construction, we have provided a driving mechanism including a unidirectional prime mover adapted to effect operation of a motor unit of the reversing type together with operative connections therebetween and a single control mechanism effective to efliciently operate the reversing motor unit in any manner desired. The advantages of this drive unit will be readily apparent.

What we claim 'is:

1. Operating mechanism for apparatus of the character described, comprising a continuously operating pump, a motor, fluid connections between said pump and said motor, a timed reversing valve in said connections, means for by-passing the fluid from said pump past said valve, and fluid operated braking means in said by-pass.

2. Operating mechanism for apparatus of the character described, comprisin a continuously operating pump, a motor, uid onnections between said pumpand said motor, a

between said pump and said motor and including timed valve means for periodically reversing said motor, operator-controlled valve means for controlling the driving connection between said pump and said motor, brake means for said cylinder, a fluid pressure actuator for said brake means, and connections for said actuator from the pump output including a brake control valve.

4. Apparatus for operating a washing machine cylinder, comprising a fluid motor in driving relation with the cylinder, a continuously operating fluid pump, fluid connections between said pump and said motor and including timed valve means for periodically reversing said motor, operator-controlled valve means for controlling the driving connection between said pump and said motor,

brake means for said cylinder, a fluid pressure actuator for said brake means, connections for said actuator from the pump output including a brake control valve, and means interassociating said brake valve with said operator-controlled valve for common operator control.

5. Apparatus for operating a washing machine cylinder, comprising a fluid motor in driving relation with the cylinder, a continuously operating fluid pump, fluid connections between said pump and said motor and including timed valve means for pcriodically reversing said motor, operatorcontrolled valve means for controlling the driving connection between said pump and said motor, brake means for said cylinder, 9. fluid pressure actuator for said brake means, connect-ions for said actuator from the pump outputincluding a brake control valve, and

means interassociating said brake valve with said operator-controlled valve for common operator control, said interassociating means providing that brake application cannot be coincident with drive of said cylinder.

6. Apparatus for operating a washing machine cylinder comprising a fluid motor in driving relation with the cylinder, a continuously operating fluid pump, fluid connections between said pump and said motor and including timed valve means for pcriodically reversing said motor, operatorcontrolled valve means for controlling the driving connection between said pump and said motor, brake means for said cylinder, 

